Birthdays are the only celebration I like, because they are personal.
Besides that we are logically happy that our dear ones were born, so there is an excellent reason to celebrate their birthdays to thank them for being with us.

Tomorrow it will be the birthday of a dear friend of the Bear family, so I baked a special cake for her and I uncorked one of the best bottles in my cellar in her honour.

One of my late American friends, Ralph Waldo, used to tell me:
“Violet, the only reward of virtue is virtue;
the only way to have a friend is to be one.
A friend is a person with whom you may be sincere.
Before him you may think aloud.”
Ralph Waldo knew what he was talking about...

According to my experience I’d add that:
A true friend is one who overlooks your failures and tolerates your success.

Mrs. Máire Uí Mhaicín is not only a sincere friend of the Bear family (and we feel honoured for that), she’s also a precious person for all the people who are lucky enough to have her in their life.

“Whatever with the past has gone,
The best is always yet to come”

Happy Birthday, Máire!

I’m infinitely older than you, as you know, so I dare to reveal you a secret to be always young.
Old people are fond of giving good advice; it consoles them for no longer being capable of setting a bad example. Keep on being gently nonconformist and give bad examples, without preaching. You’ll never get old!




Ah, by the way, if you feel like looking at
Máire's photo-galleries and - why not?- wishing her "Happy Birthday" too, click HERE